PAOK vs FCSB Prediction: Romanian visitors unlikely to repeat October raid

FCSB were unlucky not to qualify for the top eight and now head to a familiar foe in the first leg of their Europa League play-off. Read on for my PAOK vs FCSB prediction, as well as the latest team news and match odds.

Football Odds

Ros-albastrii beat Thursday's hosts PAOK 1-0 at Stadio Toumbas in October, collecting three of their eventual tally of 14 points, but finished 11th in the standings on goal difference after losing 2-0 to Manchester United on matchday eight.

PAOK were 22nd as they recovered from defeat in their opening home game to draw 2-2 with Viktoria Plzen and beat Ferencvaros 5-0 and Slavia Prague 2-0.

They defeated OFI 5-0 in Crete on Saturday and are tipped to grab a result to give themselves something to protect in next week's return match at the Arena Nationala.

Team News

PAOK have omitted several big names from their Europa League squad, with former Premier League players Dejan Lovren and Tiemoue Bakayoko among those to miss out.

However, Dimitrios Pelkas has been added to the squad after returning to the club in the winter window.

FCSB have left Jordan Gele out of their squad for the knockout rounds, but new signings Lukas Zima, Juri Cisotti and Andrei Gheorghita could be involved.

PAOK vs FCSB Odds

PAOK are the 8/11 favourites to win Thursday's game, with the draw 11/4 and another FCSB victory available at 18/5.

A repeat 1-0 win for the visitors is 12/1 and the hero that night Daniel Birilgea is 16/5 to score again.

PAOK to win to nil @ 7/4

PAOK have lost two of their last four home games in the league, losing 2-1 to both Volos and AEK Athens.

They were unbeaten in five at home prior to that and also recorded those impressive victories over Ferencvaros and Slavia.

The Double-headed Eagle of the North were excellent against OFI and can carry that form into this game against FCSB, who were the 3-0 winners over Sepsi on Sunday.

Coach Elias Charalambous played for PAOK during his younger days and, with a home tie in the second leg, could set his side up to contain their opponents.

That could backfire, with home coach Razvan Lucescu, Bucharest-born but like his father, Mircea, associated with FCSB's rivals Rapid, more likely to go for the victory.

Dimitrios Pelkas anytime scorer @ 11/4

Pelkas won the Super League and three Greek Cups during his first spell with PAOK before heading to Fenerbahce in 2020 and then crossing the city to join Istanbul Basaksehir in 2023 via a loan spell at Hull City.

The 31-year-old grabbed the first goal of his second stint with the club in the win in Crete and should again get minutes on Thursday, either as a starter or from the bench.

Pelkas scored twice for Basaksehir in the Conference League and will be determined to mark his first European game back at his first club with a goal.

Offers

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